Marlborough Town Council
May 2016
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May
Firstly, I'll just slip quickly back into April when, on Friday 29th April, I visited an exhibition in St Mary's Church. This was an exhibition with a difference which was meant to be thought provoking.
Then on Saturday 30th April I was in the High Street before 8 am for my street collection for The Brain Tumour Charity. I had five members of 4MI Battalion who very much helped to swell my total, and with a cake stall we were able to pass our previous year's total and brought in £1,064.
Friday, 2nd May - the day of the Duck Race. This involved a lot of hard work beforehand for Peter Povey (Marlborough Scouts) and myself. As this was a joint venture, we were seen on a regular basis wearing our duck hats in Waitrose car park selling bright yellow ducks. There was great excitement at the launch, the Mayor Duck went in first and after a few turbulent moments when she got caught in the weir and needed rescuing, all the small ducks were released. Then as every duck was urged onto the finishing line, Cllr. Kirk Wilson was chivvying on wayward ducks as they drifted in on waves waiting to be caught by valiant members of ARK. This is an event that, in the future, can be built on for the enjoyment of Marlborough. My grateful thanks to all who helped and to the businesses that sponsored it. If anyone finds any stray ducks, please hand them in at the Town Council offices.
Wednesday, 4th May - this was the evening of my reception to thank all who had donated or supported me over my Mayoral year and to hand over the cheque for £11,193.42 to my chosen charity, The Brain Tumour Charity. It was a very nice evening supported by my old colleagues from Marlborough College, the Old Dames, who helped bring together the reception and Tesco Manager, Nick Helps, who very generously provided the wine. My thanks also go to 4MI and all those others who have helped me to more than reach my total.
Friday, 6th May - The Stonebridge Meadow Wetlands project, which is an ARK initiative, includes a reed bed which will encourage wildlife and includes a viewing platform and a boardwalk. Claire Perry, MP was introduced by the Chairman of ARK, Dr. Geoffrey Finlay, who talked about the project and particularly praised Anna Forbes, ARK's project manager. Claire Perry then cut the ribbon.
I can't believe that this is my last month of my Mayoral year. Where does time go?
This month, I attended a committee meeting with MENCAP and we were all delighted with the grant awards from the Area Board. We had discussions about the summer party and how we could include celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday. This group works hard to give a social life to its members.
I have been very busy working hard with 
Tuesday, 19th April - I was invited up to Merlin Court with students from St Francis and St Mary's to bury time capsules so, who knows what will be made of the artefacts in 100 years' time! I was then invited to visit St Mary's assembly to talk to the children, wear my duck hat and given the opportunity to sell some yellow ducks for the Duck Race on 2nd May which is fundraising for the Scouts and the Mayor's Charity.
Friday, 22nd April - I went to Lockeridge to view 
In the evening, I went to St Mary's for a rendering of the 
Tuesday, 1st March - St David's day saw Cllr Hannaford-Dobson and myself being chauffeured to a visit of 4MI Battalion at Kiwi Barracks, Bulford. We were very warmly welcomed, given a tour of the building and introduced to a number of personnel. Col Matt Brown gave us an insight into the work and training of the Battalion, the ethos of 4MI as an intelligence unit and it's close connection with Marlborough.
Wednesday, 2nd March - All Councillors were invited up to Savernake Hospital to tour the new Outreach Centre run by Prospect which had recently been opened by the Duchess of Cornwall. Over £300,000 was raised in a very short time by the community enabling this worthy project to go ahead. We were given an overview on how much it cost to run and what could be done to help often terminally ill patients. The unit offers a community room with a kitchen, an Occupational Therapist and counselling and therapy treatment rooms. We came away pleased that Savernake Hospital offers a new project enabling a secure future to a much loved building.
Saturday, 5th March - Today saw the Youth Council, under the guidance of Cllr Lisa Farrell, work towards the Clean for the Queen campaign, a national initiative to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday. We all had a photo taken on Marlborough Town Hall steps before setting off down the High Street all armed with gripper gloves, plastic bags on hoops and tongs for picking up rubbish. We all became quite adept at picking up cigarette butts. Can I make a plea for all smokers to dispose of these in the right receptacle? There are a number of these attached to the bins in the High Street.
After attending a Memorial Service in the afternoon, I made my way to St Mary's Church in the evening to attend the Marlborough Concert Orchestra perform its Spring Concert. It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of Janet Tanner who played the violin, a founder member of the Orchestra and a former teacher at Marlborough College. The programme had overtures from Mozart, a symphony by Schubert and the programme ended with Johann Strauss and The Blue Danube which set all feet tapping.
Monday, 7th March - A very full start to the week. In the evening, we held a welcome ceremony in the Court Room for our new Town Cryer/Beadle, Michael Tupman, a former Special Constable. I gave a brief introduction of the history of this ancient position of the Town Cryer/Beadle recorded as going back to at least 1699. Our now retired Town Cryer, Alfie Johnson, handed over the bell and staff.
The evening started with a reception and speech given by Alison Burden who has spearheaded the successful campaign towards Marlborough's Fairtrade status. I was presented with a certificate in recognition of the Town Council's support. In my acceptance speech, I said I was pleased to accept this as a sign of our ongoing support to the farming community around the world, aiming for a fairer world where everyone has an equal opportunity to work and make a living. I also praised Alison and her team for their perseverance which enabled all of this to come about. The Manager of Tesco in Marlborough, Nick Helps and Poppy, Community Co-ordinator from Waitrose, gave a perspective from a Supermarket's view.
Sunday, 13th March - Today was the Service for the Rule of Law in the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral. This is held to commemorate the Office of the High Sheriff which goes back over 1,000 years, its roots going back to Saxon Times. It's the oldest secular office under the Crown until when, in 1908 under the right of King Edward VI, the Office of the Lord Lieutenant became the Sovereign's personal representative in a county. Whilst the duties of the High Sheriff have evolved and reduced over the years to a mainly cermonial role, he or she still remains the Sovereign's representative in the county for all matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.
So we say goodbye to Lady Gooch who has done so much in her year, not only with youth groups, SPLASH and YAW but, supporting the Probation Service, the Royal Cadets, the Asian Women's Group and many others.
Monday, 14th March - We celebrated Commonwealth Day and Members of the Town Council met on the Town Hall steps, all holding the Commonwealth Flag. I then read a message from the Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, reiterating the bond that binds the Commonwealth of 53 countries and 2 billion people. The Commonwealth Charter asserts that everyone is equal, deserves respect whatever their status in life and seeks to build a better world.
Wednesday 16th March - Wednesday evening saw many Councillors supporting the Shopmobility evening when traders from the High Street were invited to a reception with a welcoming glass of wine to learn about what the Town Council, the Area Board and the Mobility Shop are trying to achieve. It was to highlight Marlborough's committment to support disabled people in enabling them to shop in Marlborough. This scheme is up and running in Salisbury very successfully. Sadly, the evening was not well attended. I was asked to name 3 of the mobility scooters and now we have Henry, Bella and James, perhaps with Thomas the tank engine in mind - great fun they are too.
Sunday 20th March 2016 - In the morning the Friends of the Victorian Cemetery met up. It was a lovely day and we put in valuable time raking up old grass and digging up brambles. The daffodils are beautiful so, do go and look. Sadly all the new bulbs that were planted have not materialised and the damage done by the contractors has not helped. However, in May we are invited to talk on wild flowers in churchyards and be presented with our first certificate for ongoing efforts. We also are discussing bees which is something important to work on. 
Wednesday 23rd March 2016 - A Common Users Group meeting in the Council Chamber with different groups coming together and discussing main issues on the use of the Common. It's important to keep a fine balance of use and users and to protect and repair this beautiful piece of land which belongs to use all and is for everyone to enjoy.
Wednesday 2nd February - Altzheimer's Association. I was invited to host a table for a Gala Dinner in the beautiful room in Devizes Town Hall along with the Mayor of Devizes. There were 10 tables of carers and their partners or parents with dementia. We were treated to a lovely dinner with spring daffodils on each table. All those waiting on tables were staff from the Alzheimer's Association and had given their services free. A talk was given on how to eat well. I enjoyed talking to carers who were all very upbeat. I think the whole occasion was appreciated by everyone who attended.
Thursday, 25th February 2016 - Councillors were invited up to Greatwood for a guided tour to learn more about how looking after retired race horses was combined with a work programme with schools helping disadvantaged children. Sasha Thorbek-Hooper, Fundraising
Manager for Greatwood, who clearly has wide expertise in this field, took us round. It was apparent right from the start that helping to look after these beautiful animals in such a happy environment really contributes to building up confidence in these children's own abilities.
Friday, 26th February - Friday saw me in the wilds of Wiltshire along farm tracks, wandering around looking for Winkworth Farm whilst hoping I was not lost forever. I was invited to the North Wilts Annual Awards and Celebration of Guiding and Achievements so, it was a relief when a glimmer of light appeared in the distance. (More signs please).
Happy New Year to you all!
Friday 15th January - Time for the Penguins Annual Presentation, an event which is always so well supported by parents. It was with great pleasure that I presented trophies to some very accomplished young swimmers. Enormous credit goes to all who support this successful club which has about 400 young members.
Friday 4th December - A trip to the beautiful Malmesbury Abbey to attend a Carol Service which was a fund raiser for Youth Action Wiltshire which supports young carers who are often looking after a parent or family member. These young people can often feel isolated or miss out on education and development.
Friday 11th December - Held in the beautiful Chapel, the Carol Service at Marlborough College is always a highlight in the Council calendar. The rendering of the Choir, the lessons and the hospitality in the Adderley Room all helped to ensure it was again a wonderful occasion.
Sunday 13th December - I was invited to the Kennet Valley Brass Band concert. It featured a Male Voice Choir and was held in the Town Hall. What an excellent concert! This put everyone in the Christmas spirit and raised over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support, a very worthy cause.
Tuesday 15th December - Carol singing in the rain on The Green with the Revd Heather Cooper. Our musicians - keyboard and recorder players - had to be sheltered from the rain under a large umbrella. These played for some brave and hearty carol singers. Afterwards we enjoyed some welcome flapjacks provided by our very own kind Tesco Manager, Nick Helps.
In the evening we had the Marlborough in Bloom AGM and Award Presentation when everyone was welcomed by the Chairman, Mrs Ann Crawley. Some MiB members had been invited down to the beautiful Dartmouth Naval College to collect the awards which were presented that evening. In the Its Your Neighbourhood category, ARK collected a piece of silverware for best native planting at Stonebridge Meadow and Marlborough Water Front, under the care of Mrs Val Compton, received an Outstanding Award certificate. The Lamb (which clearly should have come first) collected a certificate for third place for being the pub with the best floral displays in the South West and the landlords were delighted to receive it.
Saturday, 10th October
Sunday, 11th October
Thursday, 15th October
Thursday, 22nd October